England’s Ashes 2025-26 campaign couldn’t have started any worse, with an eight-wicket defeat in the first Test at Perth. While Australia celebrated a strong comeback spearheaded by Mitchell Starc and Travis Head, former England great Sir Geoffrey Boycott slammed the Ben Stokes-led team, calling their approach “brainless” and claiming that he cannot take this side seriously.
Prior to the series, Stokes had publicly dismissed criticism from former players, referring to them as “has-beens” and asserting that modern Test cricket has progressed. Following England’s defeat, Boycott claimed that this mentality had backfired. England had built a significant 40-run lead on a fast, low-scoring pitch and were once 100 for 1 in the second innings. However, within hours, they had lost nine wickets for 99 runs, allowing Australia to recover and eventually chase down 205 in 28.2 overs.
“Before this series started Ben Stokes told the world that any ex-player who criticised them or had a different opinion were “has-beens” because Test cricket had changed and the past was irrelevant. Well, from this has been the message is simple: when you keep throwing away Test matches by doing the same stupid things it is impossible to take you seriously. They never learn, because they never listen to anyone outside their own bubble, because they truly believe their own publicity.
Now it has bitten them in an Ashes Test, the biggest challenge of all and unless they mount a spectacular comeback, they will regret it for a very long time. It is simple. Brainless batting and bowling lost England the match. A 40-run lead on a fast bouncy low scoring pitch was huge and with Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope together at one stage England were in charge at effectively 100 for one,” he told Telegraph.
Stokes got a good ‘un from Mitchell Starc: Sir Geoffrey Boycott
England’s batting collapsed in both innings, leading to Boycott’s frustration. In the first innings, despite Harry Brook’s 52 and a cameo from Jamie Smith, England managed only 172. Starc tore through the top order with figures of 7 for 58. Australia themselves struggled early, blown away for 132 as Stokes took 5 for 23 and Archer and Carse chipped in. But despite England’s 40-run advantage, their batting unit squandered the opportunity to tighten the grip.
Boycott highlighted moments of poor judgment, including that of Ollie Pope chasing a wide delivery for the second time in the match and gifting his wicket. He also noted about Harry Brook flashing at a wide ball to fall for a duck, Joe Root attempting an unnecessary drive only to be bowled, and Stokes’ own dismissal to Starc.
“But as exciting as this England team can be, they are always only a blink of an eye away from self destruction. Duckett got a good ball but Pope gave it away for the second time in this match driving at a very wide ball outside off stump. How can he not realise it is a sucker ball tempting him to do something daft? England were still in a great position and crying out for someone to occupy the crease with common-sense batting. In comes Harry Brook.
Three balls and he flashes on the up at a wide ball and is gone for nought. And to make it worse England’s best batsman, Joe Root, couldn’t stop himself from trying an extravagant drive on the up at Mitchell Starc going across him with his hands well away from his body. Inside edge and bowled. Stokes got a good ‘un from Starc and in no time at all England had gone from euphoria to the depths of despair. England lost the initiative and momentum had swung to Australia in the time it takes to make a cup of tea,” he added.
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